[🇧🇩] ISKCON and its activities in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Date of Event: Nov 26, 2024

Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/ex-iskcon-leader-arrested-hsia-3761491

Ex-ISKCON leader arrested at HSIA

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari

Former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.

Rezaul Karim Mallick, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and chief of the Detective Branch, said a team of detectives arrested him in connection with a case filed in Chattogram.

Earlier on October 31, a case was filed with Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram, accusing Chinmoy, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, and 18 others.

Firoz Khan, the then general secretary of Mohora ward BNP, filed the case on charges of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag in Chattogram's New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community on October 25.

Firoz, however, was expelled from the party over "anti-party" activities a day after filing the case.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on October 25, when some youths reportedly placed a saffron-coloured flag over the Bangladesh flag on the Shadhinata Sthombho (independence pillar) at the Zero Point near the New Market intersection during a rally organised by the Hindus under the banner of Sanatan Jagaran Mancha.

PROTESTS

Protesting the arrest of Chinmoy, former divisional organising secretary of the Chattogram ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), hundreds of people from the Hindu community gathered at Cheragi Pahar intersection in the port city around 6:00pm yesterday. They brought out a procession and demanded his immediate release.

Kazi Tarek Aziz, additional deputy commissioner (public relations) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said police have been deployed there to prevent any untoward incident.

In the capital, hundreds of members of the Hindu community, including ISKCON supporters, came out on the streets and blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the evening to protest the arrest.

Witnesses said around 200 ISKCON supporters gathered there, disrupting traffic movement. Tensions escalated when another group, armed with sticks, confronted the demonstrators, resulting in clashes.

The ISKCON supporters were eventually beaten and forced to leave the area.

Contacted, AKM Shahabuddin Shaheen, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said, "An unidentified group initially blocked the Shahbagh intersection, but another group soon intervened and dispersed them."

Processions were brought out also in Rangpur, Dinajpur and Narayanganj to protest the arrest.

Meanwhile, the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad in a statement condemned the arrest.

Its presidents Ushaton Talukder, Prof Dr Nim Chandra Bhowmik, and Nirmal Rozario, and acting general secretary Manindra Kumar Nath demanded the release of the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote spokesperson Prabhu Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in the interest of the nation.

They said the arrest has the potential to tarnish Bangladesh's global image on the issue of freedom of expression and human rights.​

 

[Saif]

ISKCON seeks apology from Mahmudur Rahman

Mahmudur had called for ISKCON to be banned at a programme at Jatiya Press Club on Monday

www.thedailystar.net

ISKCON seeks apology from Mahmudur Rahman

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh has demanded an apology from Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, over his recent calls to ban the organisation.

In a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity today, ISKCON's General Secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari said that they expect Mahmudur to retract his statements and issue a public apology within a week.

"If he apologises, ISKCON will appreciate the gesture. Otherwise, we will pursue strong actions, including legal measures, against him," he added.

At a programme at Jatiya Press Club on Monday, Mahmudur had called for ISKCON to be banned.

Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari expressed concerns over the comments, describing them as "baseless threats that could harm Bangladesh's religious harmony and social unity".

"Statements like these are damaging to the country's communal peace and stability," he said.

ISKCON also addressed what it described as "misleading rumours" circulating on social media, including allegations of desecrating the national flag.

"These claims are entirely baseless. ISKCON has no flag of its own, and the flag in question is not related to ISKCON. We strictly follow Bangladesh's laws and are committed to maintaining peace and religious unity," Charu said.

ISKCON President Satya Ranjan Barai said, ''ISKCON is an international organisation that was not involved in any such incidents anywhere in the world. ISKCON is not an agent of any country's intelligence agency but works solely for the welfare of humanity.''

There may be a conspiracy behind the rumours aimed at tarnishing ISKCON's reputation both nationally and internationally, he added.​

 

[Saif]

ISKCON official, 18 others sued over disrespecting national flag

A sedition case was filed against 19 people today on charges of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag in Chattogram's New Market area on Friday

www.thedailystar.net

ISKCON official, 18 others sued over disrespecting national flag

A sedition case was filed against 19 people today on charges of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag in Chattogram's New Market area on Friday.

Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, divisional organising secretary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Chattogram, is among the accused. Firoz Khan, a resident of the Mohora area, filed the case with Kotwali Police Station last night.

Police have arrested two of the accused -- Rajesh Chowdhury and Hriday Das -- in the Chattogram's Sadarghat area last evening.

The other accused are Ajay Dutta, Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, Gopal Das Tipu, Dr Kathak Das, Engineer Amit Dhar, Roni Das, Rajib Das, Krishna Kumar Dutta, Jiku Chowdhury, Newton Dey, Tushar Chakraborty Rajib, Mithun Dey, Rupan Dhar, Rimon Dutta, Sukanta Das and Biswajit Gupta.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on October 25, when a group of youths reportedly placed a saffron-coloured flag over the Bangladeshi flag on a pillar at Zero Point near the New Market intersection during a rally organised by the Hindu community under the banner "Sanatan Jagaran Mancha".

The rally, held at Lal Dighi, was to press for eight specific demands.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/363722/19-including-two-from-iskcon-accused-in-chittagong

19 including two from Iskcon accused in Chittagong sedition case
They are accused of hoisting a saffron flag over Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong earlier this month
Publish : 31 Oct 2024, 03:09 PMUpdate : 31 Oct 2024, 03:11 PM

A sedition case has been filed against 19 individuals, including two from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag over Bangladesh’s national flag at Chittagong's New Market intersection on October 25.

The case was filed on Wednesday night by Md Feroze Khan under sedition law at Kotwali police station, said CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz.

Police have detained two individuals, Rajesh Chowdhury and Hriday Das, in the case.

The 19 accused are Chandan Kumar Dhar alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, 38, Iskcon’s Chittagong divisional organizing secretary, Ajay Dutta, 34, coordinator of Hindu Jagran Manch’s Chittagong's, Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, 48, principal of the Prabartak Iskcon temple in the city, Gopal Das Tipu, 38, Dr Kathak Das, 40, Amit Dhar, 38, Roni Das, 38, Rajib Das, 32, Krishna Kumar Dutta, 52, Jiku Chowdhury, 40, Newton Dey, 38, Tushar Chakraborty Rajib, 28, Mithun Dey, 35, Rupan Dhar, 35, Rimon Dutta, 28, Sukanta Das, 28, Biswajit Gupta, 42, Rajesh Chowdhury, 28, and Hriday Das, 25.

Additionally, 15-20 unidentified individuals are included as accused in the case.

According to the case documents, during a rally at Laldighi Maidan, a religious flag associated with Iskcon was reportedly placed over the national flag.

The case statement alleges that this act constituted a “desecration” and “contempt for the country’s sovereignty,” saying the accused engaged in “treasonous activities to destabilize the country by fostering an anarchic environment.”

A photo of the flags recently went viral on social media and drew criticism, prompting its subsequent removal.​

 

[Saif]

ISKCON involved in attack on joint forces in Ctg incident: Police

A police officer faces acid attack

www.tbsnews.net

ISKCON involved in attack on joint forces in Ctg incident: Police
A police officer faces acid attack

Chattogram Metropolitan Police has revealed that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was involved in the attack on law enforcement and acid throwing in the Hazari Gali area of Chattogram, triggered by a Facebook post.

The incident led to vandalism, tension, and the attack on security forces.

Police have said those involved in the attack were heard shouting "Jai Shree Ram."

At a press conference held today at the city's Dampara Police Lines, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md Roish Uddin detailed the incident.

Earlier that day, a press conference by the joint forces had outlined the events of the attack.

According to the police, nine officers were injured in the attack, including Assistant Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman of the Kotwali Zone and police members – Saiful Islam, Bipul Bapari, Abu Sayem Sejan, Sayeed Hasan, Foyez, Naim, Ashikur, and Shahjahan Hossain Shaon.

Foyez was injured by acid and is currently being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Roish Uddin said, "The attackers chanted "Jai Shree Ram." Our investigation indicates ISKCON supporters were behind the incident, triggered by a Facebook post. The crowd trapped Osman Ali, and when police arrived, they tried to free him. The situation escalated, with bricks and acid thrown at officers, injuring nine, one of whom was burned by acid."

A total of 82 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

The deputy police commissioner said the majority of those detained are believed to be ISKCON supporters, though some Muslims may also be involved, and investigations are ongoing.

Regarding Osman Ali, the person who posted about ISKCON on Facebook, the deputy commissioner added, "Osman Ali is currently in custody. If any religious insult is brought forward against him, we will take legal action."

Meanwhile, a case has been filed at the Kotwali Police Station of CMP, naming 82 individuals and accusing between 500 to 600 people in connection with the attack on law enforcement.

The case was filed by Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman of Kotwali Police Station, CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz told TBS.

Police said the incident in Hazari Gali began on 5 November around 5:30pm when tension erupted after a Facebook post critical of ISKCON was shared. A group of people, reportedly Hindus, attacked shops in the area.

Upon receiving the information, police, army, and border guards arrived at the scene, where they rescued Osman Ali and his brother.

ISKCON denies involvement

ISKCON has denied any involvement in the violence, issuing a statement signed by the General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh Sri Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari.

The statement says following the recent violent events in Chattogram, there have been attempts to wrongly link ISKCON Bangladesh to the incidents, damaging our religious and social reputation.

"We strongly condemn this false information and want to make it clear that ISKCON Bangladesh is a peaceful, non-political religious group dedicated to promoting harmony, religious tolerance, and human welfare, both in Bangladesh and worldwide."

"We also condemn the recent attack and vandalism in Hazari Gali and state clearly that ISKCON has no connection to these events, despite what is being reported on social media and in the news," says the statement.​

 

[Bilal9]

It's disheartening to see ISKCON engaging in seditious and anti-national activities on behalf of certain overseas interests inimical to Bangladesh sovereignty.

I hope these schemers are charged and expeditiously prosecuted.

 

[Vsdoc]

Reads like a classic witch hunt and the Bangla version of the Salem trials to me.

Deeper and deeper into the morass of a failed state Bangladesh sinks.

 

[Bilal9]

Former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, has been produced at one of the Chittagong CMM courts this morning. This follows his arrest yesterday from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.

 

[Saif]

The court has declined to entertain a plea for bail by Chinmoy Krishna Das.

 

[Bilal9]

Hmmm - seems the govt. will throw the book at him.

Jameen Na-manzoor....plea for bail rejected.

Sedition, conspiracy to cause unrest etc. are just some of the possible charges.

Let's see what happens.